Daily News reports that officials from the Office of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, including the Chief Financial Officer, who were arrested in 2020 for fraud, corruption and money laundering, appeared in the Durban High Court on Tuesday.

Ziphathe Cibane, as well as the head of supply chain management Nonhlanhla Hlongwa and seven others accused, face charges in relation to a R24 million tender. Of the nine accused, five were from the Office of the Premier (OTP) and they are alleged to have disregarded supply chain procedures by colluding with service providers in securing catering tenders. The other OTP officials are personal assistant Nomusa Zakwe, administration clerk Njabulo Makhathini and senior administration clerk Sithembiso Msomi, who are out on R5,000 bail each. Cibane is out on R10,000 bail, while Hlongwa is out on R5,000. Seven companies are further accused in the matter bringing the total number of accused in the matter to 16. Cibane and Hlongwane are alleged to have received bribes from some of the accused companies in return for tendering contracts. Juniors under Cibane were allegedly instructed to process paperwork for such in return for bribes. A date for a pretrial in the matter was set for August.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anelisa Kubheka at Daily News

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